Method for building an exercise program of an exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method for building an exercise program for an exercise apparatus, wherein the exercise apparatus controls a mechanical operation of the exercise apparatus thereof according to the exercise program; the exercise program comprises at least one segmented exercise profile; a difficulty level parameter and a time parameter are set in the segmented exercise profile. The method includes displaying a route diagram with a displaying unit and inputting a command into the exercise apparatus with an input unit.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 101151339, filed Dec. 28, 2012.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a method for building a program. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method for building an exercise program of an exercise apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

General indoor exercise apparatus, such as treadmills, stationary bicycles, or steppers, usually have a user interface with several keys. A user can input commands to adjust an exercise parameter (such as a speed parameter or an inclination parameter) via the keys, when he or she uses the apparatus. However, it can be difficult for the user to manipulate the user interface during an exercise session. In order to overcome said issue, a conventional method for building a program (such as the embodiment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,025) comes to the world.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,025 discloses that a user can build an exercise program for an exercise apparatus via a user interface. The exercise apparatus controls the mechanical operation thereof according to the exercise program when the exercise apparatus operates. The exercise program comprises at least one segmented exercise profile. A plurality of difficulty level parameters is set in the segmented exercise profile. The mechanical operation of the exercise apparatus is programmably carried out under the segmented exercise profile. Under this arrangement, the user predefines the exercise program with the segmented exercise profile, before the user uses the apparatus. Therefore, the user doesn't need to manipulate the user interface during the exercise session.

However, the conventional method for building a program still has several disadvantages as following.

First, the conventional method for building a program shows only one difficulty level parameter of the segmented exercise profile which the user wants to edit; therefore, the user cannot simultaneously monitor all difficulty level parameters of the segmented exercise profile which he or she wants to edit.

Second, the conventional method for building a program not only shows the information of the segmented exercise profile that the user has edited, but also shows the information of the segmented exercise profile that the user has not edited yet; therefore, the conventional method for building a program shows a confusing mixture of previously edited information as well as information that is not yet edited, making the user interface unclear.

Third, when the user creates an additional segmented exercise profile or subtracts one segmented exercise profile, he or she may easily worry that the length of the entire cycle time might be increased or decreased, while the intent is more often to add or subtract steps in the exercise profile while keeping the overall duration of the exercise program constant.

Fourth, the user must edit all segmented exercise profiles that the exercise program comprises, even if the user wants to create only one difficulty level for the entire exercise session time period. For example, if the exercise program comprises ten segmented exercise profiles but the user wants to create only one difficulty level time period, the user needs to edit the ten segmented exercise profiles by setting the ten difficulty level parameters equal to each other.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional method of building an exercise program. Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

The present invention involves a method for building an exercise program of an exercise apparatus. Generally speaking, the method is to build an exercise program for the exercise apparatus, wherein the exercise apparatus controls some portion of the mechanical operation of the exercise apparatus according to the exercise program. The exercise program includes at least one segmented exercise profile, with a difficulty level parameter and a time parameter that are set in the segmented exercise profile.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the method includes displaying a route diagram with a displaying unit, the route diagram showing a route chart with at least one route segment. The route chart has two ends which are respectively defined as a starting point and an ending point. The route segment is defined along at least a portion of the route chart and corresponds to the segmented exercise profile. The route segment can be highlighted to show when the parameters within the route segment can be edited or adjusted, with the displaying unit displaying the difficulty level parameter associated with the highlighted route segment. Commands can be input into the exercise apparatus with an input unit. Commands are carried out by a controlling unit to, among other things, edit or adjust the segmented exercise profile. The editing of the segmented exercise profile corresponding to a particular route segment is monitored and guided by the controlling unit. If there is a particular route segment that is highlighted to show that it is ready to be edited, then the parameters associated with that particular route segment may be edited. If there is a command or instruction to finish the editing, the exercise program removes the highlighting from the route segment and does not allow further editing of the associated parameters. If there is no command or instruction to finish the editing, the editing of the segmented exercise profile which corresponds to the highlighted route segment may continue. If there is a command or instruction to add one route segment, the controlling unit adds one route segment, assuming the total number of the route segments is smaller than a predetermined maximum number of route segments. The newly added route segment is then highlighted to allow for editing of any adjustable parameter associated with the route segment. When a route segment is added, the length of the overall time duration under the entire route would not be changed even though one route segment is added to the route chart. Instead, the length of each remaining route segment is proportionately scaled to maintain the overall duration of the exercise.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the input unit comprises a touch panel. The touch panel overlays the displaying unit. The touch panel allows a user to easily select features of the route diagram, such as individual route segments. The user can directly touch a particular route segment on the displaying unit so as to select the segmented exercise profile corresponding to that particular route segment for editing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the editing of the segmented exercise profile corresponding to a particular route segment is monitored and guided by the controlling unit. If there is a command or instruction to subtract one route segment, the controlling unit subtracts one route segment, assuming the total number of the route segments is larger than a predetermined minimum number of route segments. When a route segment is subtracted, the length of the overall time duration under the entire route would not be changed even though one route segment is subtracted from the route chart. Instead, the length of each remaining route segment is proportionately scaled to maintain the overall duration of the exercise.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the subtracted route segment defaults to the particular route segment which was most recently defined or most recently added along the route chart.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an additional route segment to be added is added at a default location in-between the ending point and the route segment closest to the ending point.

According to another aspect of the present invention, when an additional route segment is added along the route chart, the additional route segment is highlighted and the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the additional route segment is editable.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the time duration of each route segment is always equal to the time duration of every other route segment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the time duration of the overall time duration under the entire route is determined by the time parameter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the display unit shows only the difficulty level parameter under the route segment which is highlighted.

There are several advantages of a basic embodiment of the present invention. When a user further defines an additional route segment or subtracts one route segment, he or she doesn't need to worry that the length of the overall time duration might be increased or decreased, because the length of the overall time duration for the entire route is not changed regardless of the number of route segments chosen. Also, the user needs to edit or adjust only the number of segmented exercise profiles corresponding to the number of route segments that he or she chooses to create. For example, if a user wants to create an exercise session with four distinct exercise regimes, each with its own difficulty level, he or she needs only to edit the segmented exercise profiles corresponding to four route segments.

The reader is advised that this summary is not meant to be exhaustive. Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2-A through 2-D are illustrative views for showing an operation of a route diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for showing a method for building an exercise program;

FIG. 4 is a more detailed flow chart for showing a method of building an exercise program;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of showing the first embodiment in operation;

FIGS. 6-A through 6-D are illustrative views for showing an operation of a route diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7-A through 7-D are illustrative views for showing an operation of a route diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 8-A through 8-D are illustrative views for showing an operation of a route diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically depicted in order to simplify the drawings.

The present invention is configured in a user interface of an exercise apparatus. A user can build an exercise program for the exercise apparatus via the user interface with the present invention. The exercise apparatus controls a mechanical operation thereof according to the exercise program during the operation of the exercise apparatus. The exercise program comprises at least one segmented exercise profile. The mechanical operation of the exercise apparatus is programmably carried out under the segmented exercise profile. A difficulty level parameter and a time parameter are set in the segmented exercise profile. The difficulty level parameter influences a level of difficulty for the user when the user uses the exercise apparatus. The time parameter sets a duration of time for the user when the user uses the exercise apparatus. The exercise apparatus is powered by electricity and is designed to be used indoors. Examples of an exercise apparatus could include a treadmill, a stationary bike, a stepper or an elliptical cross-trainer (the embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as a treadmill), and could also include other types of exercise equipment not listed here. The user interface comprises a controlling unit, a displaying unit and an input unit. The user inputs a command into the exercise apparatus with the input unit and the controlling unit carries out the command thereafter. The controlling unit controls one or more operating parameters of the exercise apparatus and displays feedback using the displaying unit, according to a condition of the mechanical operation of the exercise apparatus and/or a display mode which is selected by the user. Wherein, the displaying unit of the exercise apparatus is a liquid crystal display; the input unit comprises a touch panel. The touch panel uniformly overlays the liquid crystal display, allowing a user to directly touch the liquid crystal display so as to input a command. In addition, although the input unit is illustrated as a touch panel on a liquid crystal display in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, these components shouldn't limit the present invention; in other words, the input unit might be something other than a touch panel. For instance, it could be another input unit, such as a button at an armrest of the exercise apparatus under the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for building an exercise program of an exercise apparatus is described as following. The displaying unit of the user interface displays an editing field 100. The editing field 100 comprises a route diagram 110, an adding key 120, a subtracting key 121, an inclination parameter 130, a speed parameter 140, a time parameter 150, a start key 122, a weight parameter 160, three exercise program keys 170, three custom entries 180 and a saved workout key 190. The route diagram 110 is located at a bottom side of the editing field 100. The adding key 120 and the subtracting key 121 are close to a left end of the route diagram 110. The inclination parameter 130, the speed parameter 140 and the time parameter 150 are located in a center area of the editing field 100. The start key 122 and the weight parameter 160 are located at a right side of the editing field 100. The three exercise program keys 170, the three custom entries 180 and the saved workout key 190 are located at a left side of the editing field 100. There are three or more preset exercise programs which have been previously preset into the exercise apparatus. The three exercise program keys 170 respectively correspond to the three or more preset exercise programs, so that the user can select one preset exercise program via touching one corresponding exercise program key 170. If there are more preset exercise programs than exercise program keys 170, each exercise program key 170 can be assigned to actuate one or more exercise programs, so that pressing one of the exercise program keys 170 may directly actuate a single exercise program, or may actuate a menu for further navigating through a subset of preset exercise programs, or may simply toggle between a subset of preset exercise programs. The user can also save one or more new exercise programs which have been created by a user via manipulating the three custom entries 180 and/or the saved workout key 190. The touch panel displays the route diagram 110.

The route diagram 110 shows a route chart 113 and at least one route segment. The route chart 113 has two ends which are respectively defined as a starting point 111 and an ending point 112. The route segment is defined along the route chart 113 and corresponds to the segmented exercise profile. When parameters under the route segment are adjustable, the route segment is highlighted. The route segment along the route chart 113 is defined as a first route segment T1 which is tagged with a first tag. The first tag is highlighted on the displaying unit by the controlling unit. The highlight means that the parameters under the first route segment T1 are currently adjustable; in other words, the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the first route segment T1 is in an editable condition. When the adding key 120 is touched, an additional route segment is further defined along the route chart 113 and an additional segmented exercise profile is further added to the exercise program, and where the additional route segment corresponds to the additional segmented exercise profile. When the subtracting key 121 is touched, the highlighted route segment is subtracted from the route chart 113 and the associated segmented exercise profile is also subtracted from the exercise program. The inclination parameter 130 and the speed parameter 140 shown in the editing field 100 are currently corresponding to the first route segment T1; wherein, the difficulty level parameter is illustrated as the inclination parameter 130 or the speed parameter 140 or a combination of the two separate parameters, so that the user can adjust a difficulty level setting by adjusting the inclination parameter 130 or the speed parameter 140. The time parameter 150 in the editing field 100 determines a length of an overall time duration under an entire route (in other embodiments, the time parameter 150 might determine a length of only a segment of time under the route segment). When the start key 122 is touched, the controlling unit drives the exercise apparatus to operate on the basis of the exercise program. The weight parameter 160 may be set to record the body weight of the user, so that the user can adjust the weight parameter 160 to fit himself or herself. The exercise apparatus calculates a BMI value of the user according to the weight parameter 160 (the detail of said calculation is well-known and will not be further described here).

Referring to FIGS. 2-A through 2-B, the route diagram 110 is further described as follows. When starting out with a new route diagram 110, and prior to the user touching the adding key 120, only the first route segment T1 with its associated first tag has been already defined and located along the route chart 113 (shown in FIG. 2-A); the first tag is highlighted so that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the first route segment T1 is in the editable condition. When the user touches the adding key 120 (the user might directly touches the route chart 113 in another embodiment), a second route segment T2, which is tagged with a second tag, is further defined along the route chart 113 (shown in FIG. 2-B). The second route segment T2 is sandwiched in between the first route segment T1 and the ending point 112, and the first tag for the first route segment T1 may be relocated to a new position along the route chart 113 to make additional room for the insertion of the second tag for the second route segment T2. With the insertion of the second tag, the second tag is now highlighted so that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the second route segment T2 is in the editable condition; simultaneously, the highlighting of the first tag disappears and the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the first route segment T1 is no longer in the editable condition. A maximum number of route segments can be predetermined so that the user is prevented from adding an unlimited number of route segments to the route chart 113. The total number of the route segment will always be less than or equal to this upper limit value (or predetermined maximum number of route segments). For example, the total number of the route segment is less than or equal to ten in the embodiment of the present invention. The length of the overall time duration under the entire route is completely determined by the time parameter 150. Even though the second route segment T2 has been added along the route chart 113, if the time parameter 150 is not changed, the length of the overall time duration of the exercise session as defined by the entire route will not be changed. In other words, the addition or subtraction of route segments along the route chart 113 does not change the overall time duration of the exercise session. In the current embodiment, the duration of time associated with each route segment is identical. For example, the length of the cycle time under the first route segment T1 is always the same as the length of the cycle time under the second route segment T2. Referring to FIG. 2-A, presuming that the time parameter 150 is set as sixty minutes, the cycle time under the first route segment T1 is also equal to sixty minutes; however, referring to FIG. 2-B, presuming that the time parameter 150 is set as sixty minutes, the cycle time under the first route segment T1 and the segmented cycle time under the second route segment T2 are each equal to thirty minutes.

Referring to FIG. 2-C, when the user touches the adding key 120 again, a third route segment T3, which is tagged with a third tag, is further defined along the route chart 113. The third route segment T3 is sandwiched in between the second route segment T2 and the ending point 112. The third tag is highlighted so that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the third route segment T3 is in the editable condition; simultaneously, the highlight of the second tag disappears and the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the second route segment T2 is not in the editable condition. The length of the overall time duration under the entire route is completely determined by the time parameter 150, even though the third route segment T3 has been added along the route chart 113. In other words, if the time parameter 150 is not changed, the length of the overall time duration under the entire route is not changed even though the third route segment T3 is further defined along the route chart 113. Similarly, the length of the overall time duration under the entire route is completely determined by the time parameter 150, even if the third route segment T3 is subtracted from the route chart 113. In summary, if the time parameter 150 is not changed, the length of the overall time duration under the entire route is not changed regardless of the number of route segments added to or subtracted from the route chart 113. In the current embodiment, the duration of time associated with each route segment is identical. In this example, the length of the cycle time under the first route segment T1 is always the same as the length of the cycle time under each of the second route segment T2 and the third route segment T3. For example, presuming that the time parameter 150 is set as sixty minutes, the segmented cycle time under the first route segment T1, the segmented cycle time under the second route segment T2 and the segmented cycle time under the third route segment T3 are all equal to twenty minutes. However, in other embodiments, the time parameter 150 might determine the duration time under each route segment. As a result, the duration of cycle time under the first route segment T1, the duration of cycle time under the second route segment T2 and the duration of cycle time under the third route segment T3 might be different from each other and independently adjustable from each other.

When the user touches the subtracting key 121, the route segment which was most recently defined, closest to the ending point or most recently edited would be subtracted from the route chart 113. In the example above, when the user touches the subtracting key 121, the third route segment T3 with the third tag is subtracted from the route chart 113, and if the user touches the subtracting key 121 again, the second route segment T2 with the second tag would be subtracted from the route chart 113. A minimum number of route segments can be predetermined so that the user is prevented from subtracting any route segments from the route chart 113 once the minimum number or route segments are present along the route chart 113. If the number of the route segment is not more than the lower limit value, the route segment with the tag would not be subtracted from the route chart 113 even when the user touches the subtracting key 121. For example, the minimum number of the route segment is equal to one in the embodiment of the present invention. In this example, referring to FIG. 2-A, if the user touches the subtracting key 121, the first route segment T1 with the first tag would not be subtracted from the route chart 113 because the number of the route segment is not more than one. In other embodiments, the user might drag the route segment with the tag from the route chart 113 instead of touching the subtracting key 121, so as to subtract the route segment with the tag from the route chart 113.

Referring to FIGS. 2-C, the third tag is highlighted so that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the third route segment T3 is in the editable condition. When the user wants to edit the segmented exercise profile corresponding to another route segment (for example, the first route segment T1 in this embodiment), the user just needs to touch the touch panel at a location corresponding to another tag of another route segment. By touching this other tag, another tag is highlighted so that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to this other route segment is selected to be edited (as shown in FIG. 2-D). When editing the exercise parameters, the user can touch a key to incrementally increase a particular parameter, such as the increase incline key 131 or the increase speed key 141, or the user can touch a key to incrementally decrease a particular parameter, such as the decrease incline key 132 or the decrease speed key 142. The user can alternatively touch any point within an adjust field such as the incline adjust field 134 or the speed adjust field 144, or drag an indicating member such as the incline indicating member 133 or the speed indicating member 143, so as to adjust the inclination parameter 130 or the speed parameter 140 under any one of the route segment (the detail of adjusting the parameters is further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,990.). In addition, the user can adjust the time parameter 150 so as to determine the overall time duration of the entire route, no matter which segmented exercise profile is under the editable condition. Alternatively, adjusting the time parameter 150 may determine only the length of time for that particular route segment, allowing the time duration for each particular route segment to be independently changed.

Referring to FIG. 3, the method of the present invention is further described with a block flow chart. The method comprises following steps:

First step (S1): driving the displaying unit to display the editing field 100 (as shown in FIG. 1);

Second step (S2): monitoring and guiding the editing of the segmented exercise profile which corresponds to the route segment with the controlling unit;

Third step (S3): detecting and determining whether there is any instruction to finish the editing (such as touching the start key 122) or not, and if there is an instruction to finish the editing, a fourth step (S4) is carried out, and if there is no instruction to finish the editing, the second step (S2) is carried out again; and

The fourth step (S4): carrying out the exercise program currently.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second step (S2) further comprises following sub steps:

First sub step (SS1): determining whether there is any instruction to add an additional route segment or not, and if there is an instruction to add an additional route segment, a fifth sub step (SS5) is carried out, and if there is no instruction to add an additional route segment, a second sub step (SS2) is carried out;

The second sub step (SS2): determining whether there is any instruction to subtract any route segment or not, and if there is an instruction to subtract a route segment, a seventh sub step (SS7) is carried out, and if there is no instruction to subtract any route segment, a third sub step (SS3) is carried out;

The third sub step (SS3): determining whether there is any instruction to select the segmented exercise profile corresponding to another route segment for editing or not, and if there is an instruction to select the segmented exercise profile corresponding to another route segment for editing, a ninth sub step (SS9) is carried out, and if there is no instruction to select the segmented exercise profile corresponding to another route segment for editing, a fourth sub step (SS4) is carried out;

The fourth sub step (SS4): determining whether there is any instruction to adjust any currently adjustable parameter or not, and if there is any instruction to adjust any currently adjustable parameter, a tenth sub step (SS10) is carried out, and if there is no instruction to adjust any currently adjustable parameter, the third step (S3) of FIG. 3 is carried out;

The fifth sub step (SS5): determining whether the total number of the route segment is already equal to the upper limit value or not yet, wherein if the total number of the route segment is already equal to the upper limit value, no route segments are added and the second sub step (SS2) is carried out, and if the total number of the route segment is not equal to the upper limit value yet, a sixth sub step (SS6) is carried out;

The sixth sub step (SS6): adding an additional route segment and carrying out the second sub step (SS2);

The seventh sub step (SS7): determining whether the total number of the route segment is already equal to the lower limit value or not yet, wherein if the total number of the route segment is already equal to the lower limit value, no route segments are subtracted and the third sub step (SS3) is carried out, and if the total number of the route segment is not equal to the lower limit value yet, a eighth sub step (SS8) is carried out;

The eighth sub step (SS8): subtracting the route segment and carrying out the third sub step (SS3);

The ninth sub step (SS9): selecting the segmented exercise profile corresponding to another chosen route segment for editing and carrying out the fourth sub step (SS4); and

The tenth sub step (SS10): adjusting the currently adjustable parameter and carrying out the third step (S3) of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 5, after the user touches the start key 122 from FIG. 1, the editing field 100 from FIG. 1 is changed into an operation field. The operation field comprises a route diagram 110′ defined at a center thereof. The route diagram 110′ shows a route chart 113′. The route chart 113′ has two ends which are respectively defined as a starting point 111′ and an ending point 112′. The route chart 113′ has a progression indicator (P). The progression indicator (P) indicates a current progress by the position of the progression indicator (P) along the route chart 113′, as well as indicating a current progress rate by the speed at which the progression indicator (P) moves along the route chart 113′. The operation field comprises a current inclination parameter 130′ and a current speed parameter 140′. The current inclination parameter 130′ is displayed close to a left side of the route diagram 110′ and the current speed parameter 140′ is displayed close to a right side of the route diagram 110′. The operation field further comprises several current information data displays. The current information data displays are located below the route diagram 110′. The current information data might be heart rate, pace, distance traveled, distance yet to go to complete exercise session, time already spent during exercise session, time yet to go to complete exercise session, energy exerted, power, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 6-A through 6-D, a second embodiment of the present invention is described as follows. There are many similarities between the earlier embodiment and this second embodiment, so generally speaking, only the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is further described. An editing field having the same basic intent as editing field 100 of FIG. 1 comprises a route diagram 210. The route diagram 210 is illustrated as a line chart. The route diagram 210 has an x-axis and a y-axis. The x-axis represents a timeline of the overall time duration for a complete exercise session. The y-axis represents a current difficulty level for the user at an exact moment. The x-axis has two ends which are respectively defined as a starting point 211 and an ending point 212. At least one route segment is defined along the x-axis and corresponds to the segmented exercise profile (in this embodiment, there are a first route segment T1, a second route segment T2, a third route segment T3 and a fourth route segment T4). The editing field further comprises a right arrow key, a left arrow key, an up arrow key and a down arrow key (not shown, but similar to arrow keys on a standard keyboard). The right arrow key and the left arrow key are configured to scroll left or right along the line chart to assist in the selection of one route segment which the user wants to edit. The up arrow key and the down arrow key are configured to adjust the difficulty level parameter under the route segment which the user wants to edit. The arrow keys might be illustrated as buttons on the exercise apparatus under the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6-A, the first route segment T1, the second route segment T2 and the third route segment T3 are already defined along the x-axis, wherein the first route segment T1 is highlighted so that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the first route segment T1 is in the editable condition. The current difficulty levels under the first route segment T1, the second route segment T2 and the third route segment T3 are respectively level one, level two and level one.

Referring to FIG. 6-B, when the user touches the adding key 120, the fourth route segment T4 is further defined along the x-axis. The fourth route segment T4 is sandwiched in between the third route segment T3 and the ending point 212. The first route segment T1 is still highlighted so that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the first route segment T1 is still in the editable condition even after the addition of the fourth route segment T4.

Referring to FIG. 6-C, when the user wants to edit the segmented exercise profile corresponding to another route segment (which is illustrated as the second route segment T2 in this embodiment), the user just needs to touch the right or left arrow key so as to select the segmented exercise profile corresponding to another route segment.

Referring to FIG. 6-D, the user can touch the up or down arrow key, so as to adjust the difficulty level parameter under the second route segment T2 which the user wants to edit.

Referring to FIGS. 7-A through 7-D, a third embodiment of the present invention is described as follows. There are many similarities between the earlier embodiments and this third embodiment, so generally speaking, only the difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is further described. An editing field comprises a route diagram 310. The route diagram 310 is illustrated as an LED matrix display which is composed of a plurality of LED chips. The route diagram 310 has an x-axis and a y-axis. The x-axis represents a timeline of the overall time duration for a complete exercise session, where each column represents a route segment which corresponds to the segmented exercise profile (in this embodiment, there are a first route segment T1, a second route segment T2 and a third route segment T3.). If there are more columns than there are route segments, the columns to the right of the last used column corresponding to the last route segment are ignored. The y-axis represents a current difficulty level for the user at an exact moment. The editing field further comprises a right arrow key, a left arrow key, an up arrow key and a down arrow key (not shown, but similar to arrow keys on a standard keyboard). The right arrow key and the left arrow key are configured to scroll left or right along the line of columns to assist in the selection of one route segment which the user wants to edit. The up arrow key and the down arrow key are configured to adjust the difficulty level parameter under the route segment which the user wants to edit. The arrow keys might be illustrated as buttons on the exercise apparatus under the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7-A, only the first route segment T1 is already defined along the x-axis, wherein the first route segment T1 is highlighted so that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the first route segment T1 is in the editable condition. The current difficulty level under the first route segment T1 is level one.

Referring to FIG. 7-B, when the user touches the adding key 120, the second route segment T2 is further defined along the x-axis. The second route segment T2 is adjacent to the first route segment T1. When the second route segment T2 is highlighted so that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the second route segment T2 is in the editable condition, simultaneously, the highlighting of the first route segment T1 disappears and the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the first route segment T1 is no longer in the editable condition.

Referring to FIG. 7-C, when the user wants to edit the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the second route segment T2, the user touches the up or down arrow key, so as to adjust the difficulty level parameter under the second route segment T2.

Referring to FIG. 7-D, when the user touches the adding key 120 again, the third route segment T3 is further defined along the x-axis. The third route segment T3 is adjacent to the second route segment T2. When the third route segment T3 is highlighted so that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the third route segment T3 is in the editable condition, simultaneously, the highlighting of the second route segment T2 disappears and the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the second route segment T2 is no longer in the editable condition.

Similar to the first embodiment, if the time parameter 150 is not changed, the length of the overall time duration under the entire route would not be changed even though the second route segment T2 or the third route segment T3 is added along the x-axis.

Referring to FIGS. 8-A through 8-D, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is described as follows. There are many similarities between the earlier embodiments and this fourth embodiment, so generally speaking, only the difference between the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment is further described. An editing field comprises a route diagram 410. The route diagram 410 is illustrated as a three-dimensional gradient perspective illustration. The route diagram 410 has a ground line L, a route chart 413 and at least one angle (there are a first angle, a second angle and a third angle in this embodiment.). The ground line L, viewed from left to right, represents a current time of at least a portion of the overall time duration. The route chart 413 has at least one gradient portion which is used to illustrate at least one route segment. An angle is visually defined between the ground line L and the gradient portion. The angle represents a current difficulty level for the user at an exact moment. The gradient portion may illustrate one or more route segments and illustrates the difficulty level by the angle it makes relative to the ground line L. The gradient portion corresponds to the segmented exercise profile (in this embodiment, there are a first route segment T1, a second route segment T2 and a third route segment T3.). The editing field further comprises a right arrow key, a left arrow key, an up arrow key and a down arrow key (not shown, but similar to arrow keys on a standard keyboard). The right arrow key and the left arrow key are configured to select one route segment which the user wants to edit. The up arrow key and the down arrow key are configured to adjust the difficulty level parameter under the route segment which is to be edited. The arrow keys might be illustrated as buttons on the exercise apparatus under the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8-A, only one gradient portion corresponding to the first route segment T1 is illustrated. The gradient portion is already defined by the angle it makes with respect to the ground line L, where the angle shows an increased level of difficulty from some base level of difficulty. The gradient portion corresponding to the first route segment T1 is illustrated as being highlighted, illustrating that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the first route segment T1 is in the editable condition. The current difficulty level under the first route segment T1 is illustrated as the first angle.

Referring to FIG. 8-B, when the user touches the adding key 120, a gradient portion corresponding to the second route segment T2 is illustrated. A dashed line is used to visually differentiate the first route segment T1 and the second route segment T2. The gradient portion corresponding to the second route segment T2 is illustrated as being adjacent to the gradient portion corresponding to the first route segment T1. The gradient portion corresponding to the second route segment T2 is illustrated as highlighted illustrating that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the second route segment T2 is in the editable condition, while simultaneously, the highlighting of the gradient portion corresponding to the first route segment T1 disappears illustrating that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the first route segment T1 is no longer in the editable condition.

Referring to FIG. 8-C, when the user wants to edit the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the second route segment T2, the user touches the up or down arrow key, so as to adjust the difficulty level parameter of the second route segment T2 which the user wants to edit. Adjusting the difficulty level parameter is visually shown by the degree that the second angle is increased or decreased relative to the ground line L.

Referring to FIG. 8-D, when the user touches the adding key 120 again, a gradient portion corresponding to the third route segment T3 is added to the three-dimension gradient. The gradient portion corresponding to the third route segment T3 is illustrated adjacent to the gradient portion corresponding to the second route segment T2. The gradient portion corresponding to the third route segment T3 is illustrated as highlighted illustrating that the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the third route segment T3 is in the editable condition, while simultaneously, the highlighting of the gradient portion corresponding to the second route segment T2 disappears and the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the second route segment T2 is no longer in the editable condition.

In addition, if the time parameter 150 is not changed, the length of the overall time duration under the entire route would not be changed even though the gradient portion corresponding to the second route segment T2 or the third route segment T3 is added to the three-dimensional gradient perspective illustration.

Nothing in the above embodiments should limit the present invention. For example, the user also can build the exercise program for the exercise apparatus at an external computer, and then transmit the exercise program or directly control the exercise apparatus from the external computer to the exercise apparatus via a wired or wireless communication mechanism.

The present invention has several advantages as following.

First, the present invention simultaneously shows all difficulty level parameters (such as the inclination parameter and the speed parameter) under the route segment which the user wants to edit (as shown in the first embodiment); therefore, the user can simultaneously monitor all difficulty level parameters under the route segment which he or she wants to edit.

Second, the present invention simultaneously shows all difficulty levels under all corresponding route segment at the route diagram (as shown in the second, third and fourth embodiment); therefore, the user can simultaneously monitor all difficulty levels under all corresponding route segment during the exercise session.

Third, the present invention only shows the route segments that the user has defined; therefore, the present invention concisely and clearly shows the information related to the current exercise session.

Fourth, when the user adds an additional route segment or subtracts one route segment, he or she doesn't need to worry that the length of the overall time duration will be increased or decreased, because the length of the overall time duration does not change even if an additional route segment is added or one route segment is subtracted.

Fifth, when the user wants to create a certain number of difficulty levels, he or she only needs to edit the segmented exercise profiles corresponding to those same number of route segments. For example, when the user wants to create four difficulty levels, he or she only needs to edit the segmented exercise profiles corresponding to four route segments.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of building an exercise program for an exercise apparatus, wherein the exercise apparatus controls a mechanical operation thereof according to the exercise program, and the exercise program comprises at least one segmented exercise profile with a difficulty level parameter and a time parameter associated with the segmented exercise profile, the method comprising: displaying a route chart having two ends which are respectively defined as a starting point and an ending point and at least one route segment therebetween, wherein the at least one route segment corresponds to the at least one segmented exercise profile; receiving a command from an input unit to edit the segmented exercise profile, wherein the command causes the route segment corresponding to the segmented exercise profile to be placed in an editable condition; adding an additional route segment if there is received a command to add a route segment; subtracting a route segment if there is received a command to subtract a route segment; maintaining the overall time duration under an entire route whether or not route segments are added or subtracted; selecting a single route segment for editing if there is received a command to select a route segment; and adjusting a parameter which is configured to be edited if there is received a command to edit a parameter.
 2. The method of claim 1, the input unit comprising a touch panel, wherein the touch panel overlays a displaying unit displaying the route chart, and wherein the user can touch the touch panel at a location corresponding to a route segment on the route chart so as to select the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the route segment for editing.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the editing of the segmented exercise profile which corresponds to the route segment is monitored and guided by the controlling unit, the method further consisting of: subtracting one route segment if there is received a command to subtract one route segment only if the total number of the route segments is not equal to a lower limit value, wherein the length of the overall time duration under the entire route is not changed even when one route segment is subtracted from the route chart.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the route segment which is subtracted is the route segment closest to the ending point of the route chart.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the route segment which is subtracted is the route segment which was most recently added along the route chart.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the route segment which is subtracted is the route segment which was most recently edited.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the editing of the segmented exercise profile which corresponds to the route segment is monitored and guided by the controlling unit, the method further consisting of: adding one route segment if there is received a command to add one route segment only if the total number of the route segments is not equal to an upper limit value, wherein the length of the overall time duration under the entire route is not changed even when one route segment is added to the route chart.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein adding the additional route segment adds a new route segment on the route chart closest to the ending point of the route chart.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein adding the additional route segment adds a new route segment along the route chart, and the segmented exercise profile corresponding to the new route segment is the only segmented exercise profile in an editable condition.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein only one route segment is in an editable condition at any one time.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein any route segment in an editable condition is highlighted.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the time duration of each route segment is equal to the time duration of each other route segment.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the length of the overall time duration under the entire route is determined by the time parameter.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the display unit only shows the difficulty level parameter under the route segment which is in an editable condition.
 15. A method of building an exercise program for an exercise apparatus, wherein the exercise apparatus controls a mechanical operation thereof according to the exercise program, and the exercise program comprises at least one segmented exercise profile with a difficulty level parameter and a time parameter associated with the segmented exercise profile, the method comprising: displaying a route chart having two ends which are respectively defined as a starting point and an ending point and at least one route segment therebetween, wherein the at least one route segment corresponds to the at least one segmented exercise profile; receiving a command from an input unit to edit the segmented exercise profile, wherein the command causes the route segment corresponding to the segmented exercise profile to be highlighted, the highlighting showing that the route segment is in an editable condition; adding an additional route segment if the number of route segments is less than an upper limit value and if there is received a command to add a route segment; subtracting a route segment if the number of route segments is greater than a lower limit value and if there is received a command to subtract a route segment; maintaining the overall time duration under an entire route whether or not route segments are added or subtracted; selecting a single route segment for editing if there is received a command to select a route segment; and adjusting a parameter which is configured to be edited if there is received a command to edit a parameter. 